Basic Greetings and Polite Expressions

One of the first things you learn in any language is how to greet people and use polite expressions. Here are some fundamental Finnish words and phrases that will help you make a good impression.

– **Hei** (Hello): A simple and common way to say hello.
– **Moi** (Hi): Another informal greeting, similar to “hi”.
– **Hyvää huomenta** (Good morning): Useful when greeting someone in the morning.
– **Hyvää päivää** (Good day): A more formal greeting that can be used throughout the day.
– **Hyvää iltaa** (Good evening): Used in the evening.
– **Näkemiin** (Goodbye): A polite way to say goodbye.
– **Moi moi** or **Heippa** (Bye bye): Informal ways to say goodbye.
– **Kiitos** (Thank you): Essential for showing gratitude.
– **Ole hyvä** (You’re welcome/Please): Used when offering something or in response to “thank you”.
– **Anteeksi** (Sorry/Excuse me): Important for apologizing or getting someone’s attention.

Numbers and Counting

Being able to count and understand numbers is crucial in any language. Here are the basic numbers in Finnish:

– **Yksi** (One)
– **Kaksi** (Two)
– **Kolme** (Three)
– **Neljä** (Four)
– **Viisi** (Five)
– **Kuusi** (Six)
– **Seitsemän** (Seven)
– **Kahdeksan** (Eight)
– **Yhdeksän** (Nine)
– **Kymmenen** (Ten)

For counting beyond ten, Finnish numbers are quite logical:
– **Yksitoista** (Eleven)
– **Kaksitoista** (Twelve)
– **Kolmetoista** (Thirteen)

And so on, up to nineteen (**yhdeksäntoista**). For tens, you have:
– **Kaksikymmentä** (Twenty)
– **Kolmekymmentä** (Thirty)
– **Neljäkymmentä** (Forty)

And so forth.

Days of the Week

Knowing the days of the week is essential for scheduling and understanding dates. Here are the Finnish days of the week:

– **Maanantai** (Monday)
– **Tiistai** (Tuesday)
– **Keskiviikko** (Wednesday)
– **Torstai** (Thursday)
– **Perjantai** (Friday)
– **Lauantai** (Saturday)
– **Sunnuntai** (Sunday)

Basic Questions

To have a basic conversation, you need to know how to ask questions. Here are some common question words and phrases in Finnish:

– **Mikä?** (What?)
– **Kuka?** (Who?)
– **Missä?** (Where?)
– **Milloin?** (When?)
– **Miksi?** (Why?)
– **Kuinka?** (How?)
– **Paljonko?** (How much/many?)

Examples of basic questions:
– **Mikä sinun nimesi on?** (What is your name?)
– **Missä sinä asut?** (Where do you live?)
– **Kuinka vanha sinä olet?** (How old are you?)

Common Verbs

Verbs are the backbone of any language, and learning some common verbs will help you express a wide range of actions and states. Here are some essential Finnish verbs:

– **Olla** (To be)
– **Omistaa** (To have)
– **Tehdä** (To do/make)
– **Mennä** (To go)
– **Tulla** (To come)
– **Nähdä** (To see)
– **Kuulla** (To hear)
– **Syödä** (To eat)
– **Juoda** (To drink)
– **Puhua** (To speak)

Examples in sentences:
– **Minä olen opettaja.** (I am a teacher.)
– **Hänellä on koira.** (He/She has a dog.)
– **Me menemme kauppaan.** (We are going to the store.)

Common Nouns

Nouns are equally important as verbs. Here are some everyday nouns that you will find useful:

– **Ihminen** (Person)
– **Talo** (House)
– **Auto** (Car)
– **Koulu** (School)
– **Kauppa** (Store)
– **Koira** (Dog)
– **Kissa** (Cat)
– **Raha** (Money)
– **Ruoka** (Food)
– **Vesi** (Water)

Examples in sentences:
– **Tämä on minun talo.** (This is my house.)
– **Kauppa on kiinni.** (The store is closed.)
– **Hänellä on kissa.** (He/She has a cat.)

Describing People and Things

Adjectives help you describe nouns more precisely. Here are some basic adjectives:

– **Iso** (Big)
– **Pieni** (Small)
– **Hyvä** (Good)
– **Huono** (Bad)
– **Kaunis** (Beautiful)
– **Ruma** (Ugly)
– **Kylmä** (Cold)
– **Kuumä** (Hot)
– **Vanha** (Old)
– **Nuori** (Young)

Examples in sentences:
– **Tämä on iso talo.** (This is a big house.)
– **Ruoka on hyvää.** (The food is good.)
– **Vesi on kylmää.** (The water is cold.)

Time and Date Expressions

Understanding time and dates is crucial for daily life. Here are some key words and phrases:

– **Aamu** (Morning)
– **Päivä** (Day)
– **Ilta** (Evening)
– **Yö** (Night)
– **Tänään** (Today)
– **Huomenna** (Tomorrow)
– **Eilen** (Yesterday)
– **Viikko** (Week)
– **Kuukausi** (Month)
– **Vuosi** (Year)

Examples in sentences:
– **Tänään on maanantai.** (Today is Monday.)
– **Huomenna on tiistai.** (Tomorrow is Tuesday.)
– **Eilen oli sunnuntai.** (Yesterday was Sunday.)

Basic Prepositions

Prepositions are small words but they are very important in connecting sentences and giving them meaning. Here are some basic Finnish prepositions:

– **In** – **Sisällä**
– **On** – **Päällä**
– **Under** – **Alla**
– **Next to** – **Vieressä**
– **In front of** – **Edessä**
– **Behind** – **Takana**

Examples in sentences:
– **Kirja on pöydällä.** (The book is on the table.)
– **Kissa on tuolin alla.** (The cat is under the chair.)
– **Auto on talon edessä.** (The car is in front of the house.)

Common Phrases and Expressions

To sound more natural in conversations, it’s helpful to know some common expressions and phrases. Here are a few:

– **Mitä kuuluu?** (How are you?): A common way to ask someone how they are doing.
– **Hyvin, kiitos.** (Well, thank you.): A common response to “Mitä kuuluu?”
– **Ei se mitään.** (It’s okay/No problem.): Used to reassure someone.
– **Hauska tutustua.** (Nice to meet you.): A polite phrase to use when meeting someone for the first time.
– **Olen pahoillani.** (I am sorry.): Used to apologize.
– **Minä rakastan sinua.** (I love you.): An important phrase for expressing affection.

Practice and Immersion

Learning a language requires practice and immersion. Here are some tips to help you incorporate Finnish into your daily life:

1. **Listen to Finnish Music and Podcasts**: Exposure to the language through listening helps you get used to the sounds and rhythms of Finnish.
2. **Watch Finnish Movies and TV Shows**: Visual context can help you understand and remember new words and phrases.
3. **Use Language Apps**: Apps like Duolingo and Memrise offer structured lessons and practice exercises.
4. **Speak with Native Speakers**: If possible, find language exchange partners or join Finnish-speaking groups.
5. **Practice Writing**: Keep a journal in Finnish or write simple sentences and paragraphs to practice.

Conclusion

Learning Finnish can be a rewarding journey, and starting with these basic A1-level words and phrases will give you a solid foundation. Remember to practice regularly, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the process of learning. Whether you’re planning a trip to Finland, connecting with Finnish friends, or simply exploring a new language, these words will help you navigate everyday conversations with confidence. Hyvää oppimista! (Happy learning!)